Shipping platform apparatus

ABSTRACT

A substantially recyclable shipping platform apparatus for supporting and transporting loads, in which the apparatus is easily disposable and recyclable after use. A plurality of substantially elongated pylons are attached between a top platform and a bottom panel to increase the integrity of the apparatus to more effectively support the load material placed upon the platform. The bottom panel is constructed with articulateable flaps which are used to secure the pylons to the bottom panel. Each of these flaps are configured to maximize contact with, and stability of, the pylons, and are further configured to correspond to the specific shape of the interior region of each respective pylon they are attached to. A tear strip may be embedded within the platform and/or bottom panel for purposes of reducing the overall size of the apparatus when disposal is desired.

This is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/326,544, filed Oct. 20, 1994, nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,590,606, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 07/876,572,filed Apr. 30, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,531, which is acontinuation application of Ser. No. 07/634,426 filed Dec. 27, 1990 nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to shipping platforms, and, inparticular, to a substantially recyclable shipping platform apparatusfor supporting and transporting loads by conventional material handlingequipment, which apparatus is constructed and configured to facilitatedisposal of the apparatus after use.

For many years, industry has utilized shipping platforms for purposes ofstoring, handling and transporting a vast array of load materials. Whilemost such platforms comprise pallets formed of wood, more recentlyseveral such shipping platforms have been constructed out ofsubstantially recyclable fibrous material such as paperboard. Theseprior art paperboard shipping platforms have typically relied upon aplurality of rolled, circular pylon members for structural support ofthe load material, and not a plurality of substantially elongated pylonsoperably configured, positioned, and attached to the apparatus in such away as to increase the total shear strength of the load bearingplatform--thereby allowing for acceptance of an increased weight load.Furthermore, few if any prior art devices have secured the pylon to theapparatus, by, among other things, optimal contact and affixation ofarticulateable flaps integrally formed within one of the panels of theapparatus itself.

Additionally, although substantially recyclable shipping platforms ofreduced load bearing capability do exist, a problem still remains withrespect to frangibility and disposal of the apparatuses after use. Suchshipping platforms, although relatively light in weight, are quiteburdensome with respect to their overall size. Accordingly, theseproducts cannot just simply be placed in a conventional paper compactoror other disposal container. Indeed, to facilitate insertion into suchbins or containers, without, for all practical purposes, causing theshipping platform to exceed the size limits of the compactor, or tooccupy a substantial portion of the bin or container, an individualwould have to exert a great deal of effort in physically dismantling andthen crushing the apparatus--or, in the alternative placing theapparatus in an industrial size trash compactor not readily available tosome users of such shipping platforms.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a shippingplatform apparatus which is frangible, wherein such frangibility iseasily accomplished with little effort, to accordingly facilitate theplacement of the shipping platform in a conventional garbage bin orcontainer when disposal is desired--without causing the apparatus tooccupy substantial amounts of space therein.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a shippingplatform apparatus for four-way entry by conventional material handlingdevices, which is constructed of a substantially recyclable and/orbiodegradable material which can be disposed after use, so as to reducefurther damage to the ecology typically caused by non-biodegradableand/or non-recyclable material, while simultaneously conserving naturalresources. At the same time, it is an object to provide a low-cost,lightweight, one way shipping platform which can be fabricated in afacilitated manner by automatic formation equipment.

It is still further an object of the present invention to provide ashipping platform apparatus which is configured to have relativelystrong shear strength, without protruding fasteners, thereby enabling anincreased load to be supported thereon.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent inlight of the present specification and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a substantially recylable shippingplatform apparatus for supporting and transporting loads by conventionaltined material handling devices. The apparatus is easily disposable andsubstantially recylable after use, and comprises a substantially flatplanar load-bearing platform means which is used for supporting theload. The platform means is formed of a substantially paper material andhas a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface.Accordingly, the load is capable of resting upon the top surface of theplatform means during the storage and transporting of the load.

A substantially flat planar bottom panel means is distally spaced andpositioned parallel to and below the platform means. The bottom panelmeans supports and bears the weight of both the platform means and theload. This bottom panel means is likewise formed of a substantiallypaper material and has a top surface and a bottom surface opposite tothe top surface.

A plurality of substantially elongated pylon means are operablypositioned between the platform means and the bottom panel means so asto facilitate the insertion, maintenance and removal of the tines of theconventional tined material handling devices therebetween. In addition,these pylon means further maximize the supportable strength of theapparatus while providing balance, stability and support to the shippingplatform apparatus during use thereof. Each of these pylon means have atop end and a bottom end opposite to the top end, as well as an outersurface, and an interior region formed by an inner surface or interiorwall. The top end of the pylon means are secured to the bottom surfaceof the platform means, and the bottom end of each of the pylon means aresecured to the top surface of the bottom panel means. Pylon attachmentmeans are used for operably securing the top end of each of the pylonmeans to the bottom surface of the platform means, as well as forsecuring the bottom end of the pylon means to the top surface of thebottom panel means.

In one embodiment of the invention, aperture means may be positionedthrough various locations in the bottom panel means. These aperturemeans enable effective cooperation of the shipping platform apparatuswith conventional material handling devices which utilize fork tines forinsertion between the platform means and the bottom panel means, forpurposes of raising, relocating and/or lowering the shipping platformapparatus, and accordingly the load as well. With such handling devices,wheel or weight bearing projections may emanate through the aperturemeans as a load on the shipping platform is raised.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the pylon attachmentmeans comprise a plurality of articulateable flap means which areintegrally formed within the bottom panel means about a configuration offolds that closely match the shape of the interior wall of the interiorregion of the pylon means. These folds facilitate the attachment of thearticulateable flap means to the inner surface or wall of the interiorregion of the particular pylon means located proximate to the bottomends of the pylon means. The flap means themselves, have a first sideand a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first side isoperably attachable to the inner surface of the interior region of thepylon means by adhesive attachment means positioned therebetween. Whilemany adhesives can be used, one such adhesive may be polyvinyl acetateadhesive, which, when attached to the inner surface of the interiorregion of the pylon means facilitates the secured attachmenttherebetween.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom end of eachof the pylon means are further secured to the bottom panel means byadhesive attachment means positioned between the bottom ends of thepylon means in the region of the bottom panel means immediatelysurrounding the configuration of articulateable flap means folds. It ispreferred that each of the articulateable flap means be configured tohave a maximized height with respect to the attached contact with theinner surface of the interior region of the pylon means, for optimalsecurement and stabilization of the pylon means to the platform means.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the articulateable flapmeans comprise a first side flap, a second side flap, a first end flapand a second end flap, each of which have a scalene triangularconfiguration. The first and second side flaps are positioned contiguousto each of the first and second end flaps. Accordingly, the first sideflap has its apex in abutment with the apex of the first end flap, andthe second side flap has its apex in abutment with the second end flapso as to form a configuration which maximizes the height of attachmentof the articulateable flap means to the inner surface of the interiorregion of the pylon means.

Also in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the articulateableflap means comprise a plurality of triangular shaped flaps operablypositioned within a substantially oval configuration. Each of thetriangular shaped flaps are arranged in a substantially interwovenconfiguration, thereby giving it a star-burst like appearance, so as tomaximize the height of attachment of the articulateable flap means tothe inner surface of the interior region of the pylon means. Aspreviously mentioned, the top surface of each of the flap means can betreated with an adhesive which may be hot melted or otherwise positionedinto secured attachment with the inner surface or wall of the interiorregion of the respective pylon means.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pylon attachment meansinclude adhesion attachment means operably positioned between the topend of each of the pylon means and at least a portion of the bottomsurface of the platform means for restrained securement therebetween.

The pylon attachment means can comprise a plurality of articulateableflap means integrally formed within the platform means about aconfiguration of folds that closely match the shape of the interiorregion of the pylon means for attachment of the articulateable flapmeans to the inner surface of the interior region of the pylon meansproximate to the bottom ends of each of the respective pylon means.These articulateable flap means have a first side and a second sideopposite the first side, wherein the first side is operably attachableto the inner surface of the interior region of the pylon means byadhesive attachment means positioned therebetween. Once again, theadhesive that can be used is a polyvinylacetate adhesive material. Theconfiguration of the articulateable flap means themselves, have amaximized height with respect to attached contact within the innersurface of the interior region of the pylon means, for optimalsecurement and stabilization of the pylon means to the platform means.

While the flaps may each form an isosceles or equilateral triangle, inan alternative configuration, the articulateable flap means comprise afirst side flap, a second side flap, a first end flap and a second endflap, each of which having a scalene triangular configuration. The firstand second side flaps are positioned continguous to each of the firstand second end flaps. The first side flap has its apex in abutment withthe apex of the first end flap, and the second side flap has its apex inabutment with the second end flap so as to form a configuration whichmaximizes the height of attachment of the articulateable flap means tothe inner surface of the interior region of the pylon means.

In another embodiment of the invention, the articulateable flap meanscomprise a plurality of triangular shaped flaps operably positionedwithin a substantially oval configuration so as to impart a star-burstlike pattern thereto. Each of the triangular shaped flaps are arrangedin a substantially interwoven configuration so as to likewise maximizethe height of attachment of said articulateable flap means to the innersurface of the interior region of the pylon means upon articulationthereof.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of theplurality of substantially elongated pylon means comprise a relativelyoval shaped pylon member configuration. In another embodiment, at leastone of the plurality of substantially elongated pylon means comprise arelatively rectangular shaped pylon member configuration. In yet anotherembodiment of the invention, at least one of the plurality ofsubstantially elongated pylon means comprise two or more relativelycircular members substantially adjoining one another peripherally and insuccessive abutment. Alternatively, the pylon shapes may comprise anelongated triangle, pentagon, hexagon etc.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the shipping platformapparatus further includes frangibility means positioned across thesubstantial length of at least one of the longitudinal and transversedimensions, of at least one of the platform means and bottom panelmeans. These frangibility means serve to facilitate reduction of theoverall shipping platform apparatus after use, so as to facilitatedisposal of the apparatus by way of conventional compactor means.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the frangibility meanscomprise a first tear strip means which is integrally formed within theplatform means, and a second tear strip means which is integrally formedwithin the bottom panel means. It is preferred that the first tear stripmeans be embedded within the platform means so as to facilitatefoldability of the platform means upon removal of the first tear stripand the second tear strip. The second tear strip means is preferablyembedded within the bottom panel means in such a manner as to completelysever the bottom panel means upon removal of the second tear strip, toin turn, facilitate folding of at least a portion of the top surface ofthe bottom panel means over at least a portion of the top surface of theplatform means, so as to reduce the overall linear dimension of theshipping platform apparatus. This tear strip can be a tape or wire tearmember.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the platform means, thebottom panel means, as well as the pylon means are each constructed fromat least one layer of substantially biodegradeable corrugated paperboardmaterial, although other paper materials are also contemplated.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the platform comprisesthree layers of substantially biodegradeable corrugated paperboardmaterial, in which the corrugation of each layer of the corrugatedpaperboard are positioned in relative uniform parallel alignment withone another. The bottom panel means comprises two layers of asubstantially biodegradeable corrugated paperboard material, in whichthe corrugation of each layer of the corrugated paperboard arepositioned in relative uniform parallel alignment with one another. Therelatively uniform parallel alignment of the corrugations of the threelayers of the corrugated paperboard material of the platform means maybe positioned above and transverse to the relatively uniform parallelalignment of the corrugations of the two layers of corrugated papermaterial of the bottom panel means, so as to impart increasedunidirectional strength to the shipping platform apparatus in both thelongitudinal and transverse directions. Alternatively, the corrugationsin the platform means and bottom panel means may be parallel to increasethe beam strength of the shipping platform apparatus.

In one embodiment of the invention, the substantially recylable platformapparatus is constructed from multiple layers of paperboard material.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the aperture means whichare located in the bottom panel means, comprise at least one pair ofrectangles positioned in opposite sides of the bottom panel.Alternatively, circular apertures may be utilized, or a perforated disk,in the shape of a rectangle or circle may be employed, which diskremains in the bottom panel means for increased rigidity until"popped-out" by, for example, penetration by a supporting member of ajack-type material handling device.

Also, in one embodiment of the invention, the substantially elongatedpylon means are constructed from continuously rolled multiple layers ofpaperboard material. In yet another embodiment of the invention, thesubstantially elongated pylon means are constructed from multiple layersof corrugated paperboard. In still another embodiment of the invention,the substantially elongated pylon means may be constructed from asubstantially plastic material.

In one embodiment of the invention, the platform means and the bottompanel means are coated with a substantially moisture imperviousmaterial. Other coating materials may be used, such as coatings whichare substantially fire resistant, and/or coatings which aresubstantially insect resistant.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the platform means as wellas the bottom panel means each have a substantially congruousrectangular configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 of the drawings is an exploded perspective view of the presentshipping platform apparatus showing, in particular, the platform means,the bottom panel means, and the pylon means which are positionedtherebetween;

FIG. 2 of the drawings is a top plan view of the bottom panel means, andthe pylon means, prior to attachment of the platform means thereon,showing in particular, the articulateable flap means securing each ofthe pylon means to the bottom panel means, as well as showing therectangular shaped aperture means of the bottom panel means;

FIG. 3 of the drawings is an enlarged top view of one of the pylon meansas attached to the bottom panel means by the articulateable flap means,and, showing in particular, the adhesive used to secure each of theflaps to the interior wall of the respective pylon means;

FIG. 4 of the drawings is an elevated partial cross-sectional side viewof one of the pylon means shown in FIG. 3, taken along lines 4--4 andlooking in the direction of the arrows, as attached to the bottom panelmeans by the articulateable flap means, showing in particular, theoperable positioning and maximized height of contact of the individualflaps as attached to the interior surface of the respective pylon means;

FIG. 5 of the drawings is an enlarged top view of one of thesubstantially circular pylon means shown in FIG. 1, showing inparticular, the secured attachment of the articulateable flap means tothe interior surface of the circular pylon means, as well as theadhesive used for attachment therebetween;

FIG. 6 of the drawings is an elevated partial cross-sectional side viewof the circular pylon means shown in FIG. 5, taken along lines 6--6 andlooking in the direction of the arrows, showing in particular, thestar-burst pattern of the articulateable flap means, the operablepositioning and maximized height of contact of the individual flaps tothe interior surface of the pylon means, as well as the adhesive used tosecure the flap means thereto;

FIG. 7 of the drawings is an enlarged top plan view of one of thearticulateable flap means shown in FIG. 1, showing in particular, thefold lines surrounding the flaps themselves, which substantiallycorrespond to the interior region of the pylon means it will secure, aswell as the height maximizing configuration of the flaps themselves;

FIG. 8 of the drawings is an elevated side view of a portion of theshipping platform apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, showing in particular,the positioning of one of the pylon means between the platform means andthe bottom panel means;

FIG. 9 of the drawings is a partial cross-sectional side view of theshipping platform apparatus, showing in particular, the cooperation of aconventional material handling fork tine positioned between the platformmeans and bottom panel means and adjacent the pylon means, and morespecifically the location of a load-supporting wheel of the fork tinepositioned in the aperture means of the bottom panel means;

FIG. 10 of the drawings is an exploded perspective view of asubstantially oval shaped pylon means, along with the configuration ofthe respective articulateable flap means used to secure the pylon meansto the bottom panel means and, showing in particular, the fold lineconfiguration of the articulateable flap means which substantiallyconforms to the configuration of the interior region of the oval pylonmeans;

FIG. 11 of the drawings is an exploded perspective view of twosubstantially cylindrically shaped pylon means in abutment with eachother, along with the star-burst patterns of the respectivearticulateable flap means used to secure the pylon means to the bottompanel means, showing in particular the fold line configurations of thearticulateable flap means which each substantially conforms to theconfigurations of the interior regions of each of the cylindricallyshaped pylon means;

FIG. 12 of the drawings is an exploded perspective view of asubstantially rectangular shaped pylon means, along with theconfiguration of the respective articulateable flap means used to securethe pylon means to the bottom panel means, particularly showing the foldline configuration of the articulateable flap means which substantiallyconforms to the configuration of the interior region of the rectangularpylon means;

FIG. 13 of the drawings is a perspective view of the shipping platformapparatus, as fully assembled, showing, in particular, the triplecorrugated layers of the top panel means, the double corrugated layersof the bottom panel means, as well as the frangability means located inboth the platform means and the bottom panel means;

FIG. 14 of the drawings is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of theshipping platform apparatus of FIG. 13, taken along lines 14--14 of FIG.13 and looking the direction of the arrows, particularly showing thetear strip embedded in the middle corrugated layer of the platform meansand the tear strip embedded within the top corrugated layer of thebottom panel means;

FIG. 15 of the drawings is a perspective view of the shipping platformapparatus of FIGS. 13 and 14 after the tear strips have been removedfrom the respective corrugated layers of the apparatus, showing inparticular, the completely severed bottom panel means in position overthe partially severed platform means;

FIG. 16 of the drawings is a perspective view of one type ofarticulateable flap means, showing in particular, the fold linessurrounding the flaps themselves, which substantially correspond to theinterior region of the pylon means it will secure, as well as the heightand width-maximizing configuration of the flaps themselves;

FIG. 17 of the drawings is a perspective view of one type ofarticulateable flap means, showing in particular, the fold linessurrounding the flaps themselves, which substantially correspond to theinterior region of the pylon means it will secure, as well as thewidth-maximizing configuration of the flaps themselves;

FIG. 18 of the drawings is a perspective view of one type ofarticulateable flap means, showing in particular, the fold linessurrounding the flaps themselves, which substantially correspond to theinterior region of the pylon means it will secure, as well as theheight-maximizing configuration of the flaps themselves; and,

FIG. 19 of the drawings is a perspective view of one type ofarticulateable flap means, showing in particular, the fold linessurrounding the flaps themselves, which substantially correspond to theinterior region of the pylon means it will secure, as well as the widthand height-maximizing configuration of the flaps themselves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail, several specific embodiments with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention and is not intended to limit the inventionto the embodiments illustrated.

Shipping platform apparatus 20 is shown in FIG. 1 as including platformmeans 22, bottom panel means 23, and pylon means 26 through 34 whichseparate platform means 22 from bottom panel means 23. Platform means 22comprises top load bearing surface 36 and bottom surface 37, and ispreferably constructed of three paperboard corrugated layers 38, 39 and40, although other paper materials and numbers of layers are alsocontemplated. Bottom panel means 23 comprises top surface 44, a bottomsurface (not shown), and aperture means 45, 46, 47 and 48. Although eachof these apertures are shown to have substantially rectangular shapedopenings, other configurations as well as other sizes, can also beutilized. Bottom panel means 23 further includes articulateable flapmeans, such as articulateable flap means 49, 50, 51, 52 and 53, whichare used to secure each respective pylon means, such as pylon means 32,26, 29 and 31, to bottom panel means 23. Ideally, as will be explainedin greater detail in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, each of the articulateableflap means are configured to have fold lines, such as fold line 72,which substantially conform to the particular shape of the interiorregion, such as interior region 58, of the respective pylon means 26through 34, for facilitating secured attachment therebetween. Inaddition, it is also preferred that bottom panel means 23, beconstructed of two corrugated paperboard layers, 56 and 56a, although,like platform means 22, other paper materials, as well as numbers oflayers, are also contemplated.

As shown in FIG. 1, preferably the corrugations of platform means 22 areall parallel in sheets 38 through 40, which run transverse to thecorrugations of sheets 56 and 56a in bottom panel 23.

Pylon means 26 through 34, which are used not only to separate platformmeans 22 from bottom panel means 23, but are also used as structuralsupports when a load is actually placed upon platform means 22, eachcomprises a top end, such as top ends 55 and 60, a bottom end, such asbottom ends 55a and 60a, an outer surface, such as outer surfaces 57 and62, an interior region, such as interior regions 58 and 63, as well asan inner surface, or interior wall, such as interior walls 59 and 64.

When shipping platform apparatus 20 is fully assembled, bottom side 37of platform means 22, will abut with top ends, such as top ends 55 and60, of the pylon means, such as pylon means 26 and 29, respectively, andbottom ends, such as bottom ends 55a and 60a, of each of the pylonmeans, such as pylon means 26 and 29, respectively, will abut inoperable attachment with top surface 44 of bottom panel means 23.Furthermore, as will be shown in greater detail, each of the pylon means26 through 34, will be positioned over articulateable flap means, suchas articulateable flap means 49 through 53, so that the flaps themselveswill be exposed to the respective interior region of a pylon, such asinterior region 58 and 63, of each of the pylon means. It is preferredthat shipping platform apparatus 20 be constructed of a substantiallyrecyclable paper material such as corrugated paperboard--inasmuch as oneof the objectives of the invention is to conserve natural resources andreduce further damage to the eco-system. Also shown in FIG. 1 isadhesive means, such as adhesive means 71, as applied to articulateableflap means for attachment with pylon means, such as pylon means 26, andadhesive means 234 as applied to the top end of pylon means, such aspylon means 32, for attachment to bottom surface 37 of platform means22.

Top surface 44 of bottom panel means 23, is shown in FIG. 2, prior toattaching platform means 22 to top ends, such as top ends 55 and 60, (asshown in FIG. 1) of the pylon means, such as pylon means 26 through ,34.Each of the pylon means are secured to top surface 44 of bottom panelmeans 23, by articulateable flap means, such as articulateable flapmeans 49 through 53. Each articulateable flap means, such asarticulateable flap means 51, comprise a plurality of individual flapelements, such as flap elements 75 through 77, as shown in FIG. 3. Thetop surface of these flap elements are coated with an adhesive, such asadhesive 71, as shown in FIG. 1, prior to their attachment to interiorwalls, such as interior wall 59, of the pylon means, such as pylon means26 as shown in FIG. 4. One type of adhesive coating which is recommendedfor use is a polyvinyl acetate, although any other type of suitableadhesive can also be used.

Actual attachment of flap elements, such as flap element 75 through 78,as shown in FIG. 3, to the pylon means, such as pylon means 26, isaccomplished by forcing the respective flap elements, into abutment withthe interior walls, such as interior walls 59 and 64, as shown in FIG. 3and FIG. 6, of pylon means 26 through 34. The adhesive, such as adhesive71, applied to flap elements 75 through 78, as shown in FIG. 1, may beapplied manually, by machine, or both to the interior walls of therespective pylon means for secured attachment therebetween. Also shownin FIG. 2, are aperture means 45 through 48 which facilitate operableacceptance of wheels 220 of a conventional material handling device, asshown in FIG. 9.

Also shown in FIG. 2 is alternative, substantially circular shapedaperture means 48a. Inasmuch as aperture means, such as aperture means48a, are only necessary when apparatus 20 is raised and lowered byspecific jack-type material handling devices requiring such apertures(such as the type shown in FIG. 9), it is contemplated that bottom panelmeans 23 alternatively be configured with disk element 48b which may beattached by a perforated region, in relatively planer relationship totop and bottom surfaces of bottom panel means 23. Accordingly, whennecessary, disk element 48b may be automatically detached from bottompanel means 23 upon exertion of load-bearing force to disk element 48bitself--thereby providing the popping open aperture means 48a. Untilthat time, disk 48b contributes to the rigidity of bottom panel means23. Although such detachment piece is shown as a circular disk shapedelement 48b, other geometrically shaped configurations are alsocontemplated.

Two different shaped constructions of pylon means, such as pylon means26 and 29, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, are shown in FIGS. 3 through6, along with their respective articulateable flap means 51 and 52 asattached thereto. In one embodiment, the invention includes twodifferently shaped pylon means, such as the substantially cylindricallyshaped pylon means 29 through 31, and the substantially elongated,rectangular shaped pylon means 26, 27, 28, 32, 33 and 34, as shown inFIG. 1, and that each of these shaped pylons be secured to top surface44 of bottom panel means 23 by individual flap elements, such as flapelements 75 through 78, and flap elements 80 through 87, which comprisearticulateable flap means, such as articulateable flap means 51 and 52,respectively. Furthermore each of these flap elements have fold lines,such as fold line 72 as shown in FIG. 1, which are substantially similarto the configuration of the respective interior regions, such asinterior regions 58 and 63, of the, pylon means, such as pylon means 26and 29, respectively, to which they are attached.

When substantially rectangular shaped articulateable flap means, such asarticulateable flap means 51, are fully articulated, each of therespective flap elements, such as flap elements 75 through 78, may bepositioned in abutment with a substantial portion of an interior wall,such as interior wall 59, of each of the rectangular shaped pylon means,such as pylon means 26, and secured thereto by adhesive means 231, 232,230 and 233. Furthermore, each of these flap elements have beenconfigured in such a manner as to maximize the height of contact withthe respective interior wall they will be affixed to, for securedattachment therewith. As is true with the rectangular shaped flap means,when the substantially cylindrically shaped flap means, such as flapmeans 52 are fully articulated, each of the respective flap elements,such as flap elements 80 through 87, will have been forced into abutmentwith a substantial portion of interior walls, such as interior wall 64,of each cylindrically shaped pylon means, such as pylon means 29, andsecured thereto by adhesive means 250. The star-burst like pattern ofarticulateable flap means, such as flap means 52, have been configuredto maximize the height of contact, and accordingly securement to theinterior wall, such as interior wall 64, of each of the cylindricallyshaped pylon means, such as pylon means 29. Although one embodimentshows two particular configurations of articulateable flap means, suchas articulateable flap means 51 and 52, other configurations are alsocontemplated for pylon means having the same geometrically elongatedshape as those pylon means as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Also shown inFIGS. 3 through 6 are apex 77a of flap element 77, top ends 55 and 50 ofpylon means 26 and 29, respectively, and adhesive means 230a and 231awhich can be applied to the bottom ends, such as bottom end 55a, asshown in FIG. 1, of pylon means, such as pylon means 26.

Substantially, rectangular shaped articulateable flap means, such asarticulateable flap means 51, is shown in FIG. 7, prior to the actualarticulation of flap elements 75 through 78, and accordingly, prior totheir abutment and attachment with interior wall, such as interior wall59, of the respective pylon means, such as pylon means 26, as shown inFIG. 3. As can be seen, this particular shaped flap means 51 has foldlines 72, about the flap elements, which substantially conforms with theinterior region of a substantially rectangular shaped pylon means, suchas pylon means 26 as shown in FIG. 1. The flap elements 75 though 78 areconfigured in such a way so as to maximize the height of contact withinterior walls, such as interior wall 58, of pylon means, such as pylonmeans 26, as shown in FIG. 3. Such height and contact maximization isachieved by having the apexes, such as apex 77a, of the opposing sideflap elements 76 and 77, abut with the apexes of the adjacentlypositioned end flap elements 75 and 78. Also shown in FIG. 7 is bottompanel means 23, and adhesive coating 71 as applied to top surface offlap elements 75 through 78, which as previously mentioned, could,comprise a polyvinyl acetate adhesive. Adhesive 71a may likewise bepositioned on panel 23 about the position of the flaps to adhesivelycooperate with the abutting end of the pylon.

The operable positioning of pylon means, such as pylon means 26, 29, 30and 31, between platform means 22 and bottom panel means 23, are shownin FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. When shipping platform apparatus 20 is fullyassembled, bottom ends, such as bottom end 55a, of the pylon means, suchas pylon means 26, will abut in secured attachment with top surface 44of bottom panel means 23. Likewise, the top ends, such as top end 55, ofthe pylon means, such as pylon means 26, will abut in secured attachmentwith bottom surface 37 of platform means 22. As shown in FIG. 1, the topends, such as top end 55, of each of the pylon means 26 through 34, arecoated with an adhesive for attachment to bottom surface 37 of platformmeans 22. As is true with the articulateable flap means, attachment isaccomplished by secured adhesion between the top ends of the pylon meansto the bottom surface of the platform means 22. Through such aconstruction, bottom panel means 23 is attached to the pylons, such aspylon 26, through reinforced bottom attachment panel means includingarticulatable flap means 51 having articulatable flab elements such asflap elements 75 and 78 adhesively attached at regions 230-231 as wellas through adhesive means 230a and 231a applied between the bottom ofpylon 26 and the top of bottom panel 23, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. Thepylon bottom attachment means will be more resistant against shear andtorquing forces at the point of attachment between elongated pylons 26and bottom panel 23 than the non or lesser reinforced pylon topattachment means securing the top ends of the pylon to the bottomsurface of platform means 22. The stronger, more resistant securement ofthe pylons to the bottom panel means 23, as a result of reinforcedattachment, through flap elements such as elements 75-78, will firstinduce failure of a pylon, upon direct or indirect exposure of thepylons to shear and torquing forces, at the pylon top attachment means,before inducing failure of the pylon bottom attachment. Thisconstruction protects against a catastrophic cantilevering of theplatform means 22 and the potentially substantial load supportedthereby, relative to bottom panel means 23--such as when a forkliftcarrying the platform and a load strikes an adjacent pallet ornon-yielding structure, or when the forklift tine strikes a pylon duringrapid turning or abrupt maneuvers. Through such a construction, atworst, the pylon top attachment means could fail while maintainingrestrained attachment of the bottom panel attachment means to precludeagainst the lateral and downward displacement (collapse) of platformmeans 22, with its supported load, which could otherwise cantileverrelative to the position of the bottom panel means 23.

As was shown in greater detail in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, shipping platformapparatus 20, comprises aperture means, such as aperture means 46 and47. Inasmuch as pylon means, such as pylon means 29 through 31 may bepositioned in distally spaced rows, or in otherwise offset positions,entrance of the fork tines of conventional material handling equipmenttherebetween as shown in FIG. 9, is made possible. When the tines areproperly inserted, the weight bearing wheels, such as wheel 220, orother lifting or rolling mechanisms attached near the end of the tines,will be located within apertures, such as aperture 46. Accordingly, suchplacement will enable shipping platform apparatus 20 to be raised off ofthe ground surface while simultaneously allowing the wheel, such aswheel 220, of the fork tines, to remain in contact with the groundsurface, thereby providing stability during such raising, lowering andtransporting of shipping platform apparatus 20. Also shown in FIGS. 8and 9 are top surface 36 of platform means 22.

Three alternative configurations of pylon means, such as pylon means 90through 93, are shown in FIGS. 10 through 12, along with the respectivearticulateable flap means configurations used to secure each respectivepylon means to the respective bottom panel means 106, 118 and 126.Specifically, pylon means 90 is shown in FIG. 10 as having asubstantially oval elongated configuration with an interior region 94which is also substantially oval. Oval pylon means 90 is secured to topsurface 107 of bottom panel means 106, by adhesive contact with flapelements 95 through 104. As can be seen, the flap elements aresurrounded by a fold line 240 which substantially conforms to theconfiguration of interior region 94 of pylon means 90. Furthermore, flapelements 95 through 102 are configured to maximize the height of contactwithin interior region 94 of pylon means 90, as well as the securementtherebetween. Also shown in FIG. 10 is adhesive means 138 as applied tothe top surface of each of the flap elements.

Two substantially cylindrically shaped and thus further elongated pylonmeans 91 and 92, may be positioned adjacent to each other, and securedto top surface 119 of bottom panel means 118, are shown in FIG. 11,along with flap elements, such as flap elements 110 through 117, whichare used to secure cylindrically shaped pylon means, such as pylon means91 and 92, to bottom panel means 118. Flap elements, such as flapelements, 110 through 117 are surrounded by fold lines, such as foldlines 241 and 242, which substantially conform to the configuration ofinterior regions, such as interior region 120, of cylindrically shapedpylon means, such as pylon means 91 and 92. Furthermore, the star-burstlike pattern of flap elements, such as flap elements 110 through 117,facilitate maximum securement and height of contact within interiorregion, such as interior region 120, of pylon means 91 and 92. Alsoshown in FIG. 11 is adhesive means, such as adhesive means 139, asapplied to the flap elements.

Substantially rectangular shaped elongated pylon means 93 is shown inFIG. 12, as well as the four flap configured flap elements 122 through125 which are used to secure pylon means 93 to top surface 127 of bottompanel means 126. These flap elements are surrounded by fold line 245which substantially conforms with interior region 128 of pylon means 93.Each flap element is coated with adhesive means 140 for securedattachment with corresponding pylon means 93. Also shown in FIG. 12 ishole 221 centrically positioned between flap elements 122 through 125.

Shipping platform apparatus 160 is shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 asincluding platform means 162, bottom panel means 163, and pylon means,such as pylon means 165 through 169 operably positioned and securedtherebetween. Platform means 162 is constructed with a top corrugatedlayer 182, middle corrugated layer 183, and bottom corrugated layer 184.Bottom panel means 163 is shown as having a double corrugated layerconsisting of a top corrugated layer 175 and a bottom corrugated layer176. While FIG. 13 shows an alternative construction, it is preferredthat the corrugation pattern of platform means 162 be offsetapproximately 90 degrees to the corrugation pattern of bottom panelmeans 163, for optimal strength. Platform means 162 further includestear strip 190 embedded within middle corrugated layer 183 andpositioned across the entire width of platform means 162. Tear strip190, here a wire tear strip includes pull tab 191 which facilitatesremoval of the tear strip when pulled in the direction of the arrow A.Additionally, bottom panel means 163 also includes tear strip 170. Tearstrip 170, here a tape tear strip, is embedded within top corrugatedlayer 175 for facilitating total severing of bottom panel means 163 uponpulling pull tab 180 in the direction of the arrow B, as will be morefully explained. Also shown in FIG. 13 are top surfaces 210 and 201 ofplatform means 162, and bottom panel means 163, respectively.

Shipping platform apparatus 160 is shown in FIG. 15 after tear strip 190has been removed from middle corrugated layer 183 of platform means 162,and after tear strip 170 has been removed from top corrugated layer 175of bottom panel means 163, as shown in FIG. 13. Inasmuch as tear strip190 is embedded in middle corrugated layer 183, its removal, by pullingtab 191 in the direction of the arrow A, will only cause the top twocorrugated layers 182 and 183 to sever, as shown in FIG. 13.Accordingly, bottom corrugated layer 184 remains substantially intactyet foldable due to the reduced strength of platform means 162 (as aresult of the partial severing), at fold point 280.

To actually induce foldability of platform means 162, tear strip 170must be pulled in the direction of arrow B, as shown in FIG. 13, afterapparatus 160 has been flipped over so that top surface 210 of platformmeans 162 is adjacent to the ground surface. Accordingly, since tearstrip 170 is embedded within top layer 175 of bottom panel means 163,complete severing of bottom panel means 163 will occur. Once bottompanel means 163 is completely severer, and top two layers 182 and 183 ofplatform means 162 are completely severed, shipping platform apparatus160, can be folded over at fold line 280 so as to substantially reducethe overall dimension of the apparatus 160. Such reduction in size willthereby facilitate disposal of shipping platform apparatus 160 in aconventional compactor or other type of refuse bin after use. Also shownin FIG. 15 is top and bottom surfaces 201 and 200, respectively, ofbottom panel means 163, and pylon means 165 through 169.

Additional contemplated flap element configurations are shown in FIGS.16, 17 and 18 prior to the actual articulation of the respective flapelements to the inner wall of a corresponding pylon. Specifically, FIGS.16, 17 and 18 each show flap means 234, 243 and 245, respectively, whichare configured for attachment to pylons having substantially rectangularconfigurations. Flap means 234, as shown in FIG. 16, is shown havingseparation lines 235 and 236, which define four triangular shaped flapelements. Flap means 243, as shown in FIG. 17, includes separation line244 which define two substantially rectangular flap elements. Flap means245, as shown in FIG. 18, includes one separation line 246. However,unlike separation line 244 in FIG. 17, separation line 246 defines twotriangular shaped flap elements. All of these flap configurations arecontemplated as alternatives for maximizing, alternatively, the widthand/or height of contact, to accordingly enhance securement to, therespective interior wall of a rectangular shaped pylon.

Flap means 247 is shown in FIG. 19 prior to articulation of theindividual flap elements, and accordingly prior to attachment to a pylonsimilar in shape to the outer peripheral elongated hexagonalconfiguration of flap means 247. As can be seen, flap means 247,comprises six separation lines 248, 249, 251, 252, 253 and 254 whichserve to define six triangular shaped flap elements. Such aconfiguration is contemplated for purposes of maximizing the height ofcontact to accordingly enhance adhesive securement to a pylon having aninterior wall with a configuration substantially similar to theelongated hexagonal shape of flap means 247.

The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate theinvention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as theappended claims are so limited, as those skilled in art who have thedisclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variationstherein without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A substantially recyclable shipping platformapparatus for supporting and transporting loads by conventional tinedmaterial handling devices, which apparatus is easily disposable andsubstantially recyclable after use, said shipping platform apparatuscomprising:substantially flat planar load-bearing platform means forsupporting said load, said platform means formed of a substantiallypaper material and having a top surface and a bottom surface oppositesaid top surface, wherein said load is capable of resting upon said topsurface during the storage and transporting of said load; substantiallyflat planar bottom panel means positioned substantially parallel to, anddistally spaced below said platform means, for supporting and bearingthe weight of both said platform means and said load, said bottom panelmeans formed of a substantially paper material and having a top surfaceand a bottom surface opposite said top surface; one or moresubstantially continuously uninterrupted tubular shaped pylon meanshaving an outer peripheral surface which is substantially elongated inshape, for maximizing the supportable strength of said apparatus duringuse thereof, wherein said one or more substantially elongatedcontinuously uninterrupted tubular shaped pylon means are formed ofelements independent from said platform means and said bottom panelmeans, each said elongated pylon means being operably positioned betweensaid platform means and said bottom panel means so as to facilitate theinsertion, maintenance and removal of the tines of said conventionaltined material handling devices therebetween, each of said substantiallyelongated and continuously uninterrupted tubular shaped pylon meanshaving a top end and a bottom end opposite said top end, an outersurface, and an interior region having an inner surface, said top end ofeach of said substantially elongated and continuously uninterruptedtubular shaped pylon means being operably secured substantially adjacentto said bottom surface of said platform means, and said bottom end ofeach of said pylon means being operably secured substantially adjacentto said top surface of said bottom panel means; pylon top attachmentmeans for operably securing said top end of said substantially elongatedand continuously uninterrupted tubular shaped pylon means adjacent tosaid bottom surface of said platform means and pylon bottom attachmentmeans for operably securing said bottom end of said substantiallyelongated and continuously uninterrupted tubular shaped pylon meansadjacent to said top surface of said bottom panel means; said pylon topand pylon bottom attachment means including an adhesive materialinterposed between the top end of the pylon means and the bottom surfaceof said platform means, as well as between the bottom end of said pylonmeans and the top surface of said bottom panel means; and aperture meansoperably positioned within said bottom panel means so as to enableeffective cooperation of said shipping platform apparatus with saidconventional material handling devices positionable between both saidplatform means and said bottom panel means during raising, relocationand lowering of said shipping platform apparatus and, in turn, saidload.
 2. The invention according to claim 1 in which said platformmeans, said bottom panel means and said pylon means are each constructedfrom at least one layer of substantially biodegradable corrugatedpaperboard material.
 3. The invention according to claim 1 in which saidplatform means comprises three layers of a substantially biodegradablecorrugated paperboard material, in which the corrugation of each layerof said corrugated paperboard are positioned in relative uniformparallel alignment with one another,said bottom panel means comprisingtwo layers of a substantially biodegradable corrugated paperboardmaterial, in which the corrugation of each layer of said corrugatedpaperboard are positioned in relative uniform parallel alignment withone another; said relatively uniform parallel alignment of thecorrugations of said three layers of corrugated paperboard material ofsaid platform means being positioned above and transverse to saidrelatively uniform parallel alignment of the corrugations of said twolayers of corrugated paperboard material of said bottom panel means soas to impart overall increased unidirectional strength to said shippingplatform apparatus.
 4. The invention according to claim 1 in which saidplatform means comprises three layers of a substantially biodegradablecorrugated paperboard material, in which the corrugation of each layerof said corrugated paperboard are positioned in relative uniformparallel alignment with one another;said bottom panel means comprisingat least two layers of a substantially biodegradable corrugatedpaperboard material, in which the corrugation of each layer of saidcorrugated paperboard material are positioned in relative uniformparallel alignment with one another; said relatively uniform parallelalignment of the corrugations of said three layers of corrugatedpaperboard material of said platform means being positioned above andparallel to said relatively uniform parallel alignment of thecorrugations of said two layers of corrugated paperboard material ofsaid bottom panel means so as to impart overall increased beam strengthto said shipping platform apparatus.
 5. The invention according to claim1 in which said substantially recyclable shipping platform apparatus isconstructed from multiple layers of paperboard material.
 6. Theinvention according to claim 1 in which said aperture means in saidbottom panel means comprise at least one pair of rectangular aperturespositioned in said bottom panel means.
 7. The invention according toclaim 1 in which said aperture means in said bottom panel means compriseat least one pair of circular apertures positioned in said bottom panelmeans.
 8. The invention according to claim 1 in which said substantiallyelongated pylon means are constructed from multiple layers of corrugatedpaperboard.
 9. The invention according to claim 1 in which saidsubstantially elongated pylon means are constructed from multiplesubstantially concentric layers of paperboard material.
 10. Theinvention according to claim 1 in which said substantially elongatedpylon means are configured from at least one of the shapes in the groupof shapes consisting of ovals, rectangles, triangles, pentagons, andhexagons.
 11. The invention according to claim 1 in which saidsubstantially elongated pylon means comprise a combination of pylonshapes in which each of said combined shapes is configured from one ofthe shapes in the group of shapes consisting of ovals, rectangles,triangles, pentagons, hexagons, circles and squares, in substantiallyadjoining and successive abutment.
 12. A substantially recyclableshipping platform apparatus for supporting and transporting loads byconventional tined material handling devices, which apparatus is easilydisposable and substantially recyclable after use, said shippingplatform apparatus comprising:substantially flat planar load-bearingplatform means for supporting said load, said platform means formed of asubstantially paper material and having a top surface and a bottomsurface opposite said top surface, wherein said load is capable ofresting upon said top surface during the storage and transporting ofsaid load; substantially flat planar bottom panel means positionedsubstantially parallel to, and distally spaced below said platformmeans, for supporting and bearing the weight of both said platform meansand said load, said bottom panel means formed of a substantially papermaterial and having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite said topsurface; one or more substantially continuously uninterrupted tubularshaped pylon means having an outer peripheral surface which issubstantially elongated in shape, for maximizing the supportablestrength of said apparatus during use thereof, wherein said one or moresubstantially elongated continuously uninterrupted tubular shaped pylonmeans are formed of elements independent from said platform means andsaid bottom panel means, each said elongated pylon means being operablypositioned between said platform means and said bottom panel means so asto facilitate the insertion, maintenance and removal of the tines ofsaid conventional tined material handling devices therebetween, each ofsaid substantially elongated and continuously uninterrupted tubularshaped pylon means having a top end and a bottom end opposite said topend, an outer surface, and an interior region having an inner surface,said top end of each of said substantially elongated and continuouslyuninterrupted tubular shaped pylon means being operably securedsubstantially adjacent to said bottom surface of said platform means,and said bottom end of each of said pylon means being operably securedsubstantially adjacent to said top surface of said bottom panel means;and pylon top attachment means for operably securing said top end ofsaid substantially elongated and continuously uninterrupted tubularshaped pylon means adjacent to said bottom surface of said platformmeans and pylon bottom attachment means for operably securing saidbottom end of said substantially elongated and continuouslyuninterrupted tubular shaped pylon means adjacent to said top surface ofsaid bottom panel means, said pylon top and pylon bottom attachmentmeans including an adhesive material interposed between the top end ofthe pylon means and the bottom surface of said platform means, as wellas between the bottom end of said pylon means and the top surface ofsaid bottom panel means; each of said substantially elongated pylonmeans formed from a substantially continuous coil of layered paperboardmaterial; and aperture means operably positioned within said bottompanel means so as to enable effective cooperation of said shippingplatform apparatus with said conventional material handling devicespositionable between both said platform means and said bottom panelmeans during raising, relocation and lowering of said shipping platformapparatus and, in turn, said load.
 13. The invention according to claim12 in which said substantially elongated pylon means are constructedfrom multiple layers of corrugated paperboard.
 14. A substantiallyrecyclable shipping platform apparatus for supporting and transportingloads by conventional tined material handling devices, which apparatusis easily disposable and substantially recyclable after use, saidshipping platform apparatus comprising:substantially flat planarload-bearing platform means for supporting said load, said platformmeans formed of a substantially paper material and having a top surfaceand a bottom surface opposite said top surface, wherein said load iscapable of resting upon said top surface during the storage andtransporting of said load; substantially flat planar bottom panel meanspositioned substantially parallel to, and distally spaced below saidplatform means, for supporting and bearing the weight of both saidplatform means and said load, said bottom panel means formed of asubstantially paper material and having a top surface and a bottomsurface opposite said top surface; one or more substantiallycontinuously uninterrupted tubular shaped pylon means having an outerperipheral surface, and maximizing the supportable strength of saidapparatus during use thereof, wherein said one or more substantiallycontinuously uninterrupted tubular shaped pylon means are formed ofelements independent from said platform means and said bottom panelmeans, each said pylon means being operably positioned between saidplatform means and said bottom panel means so as to facilitate theinsertion, maintenance and removal of the tines of said conventionaltined material handling devices therebetween, each of said substantiallycontinuously uninterrupted tubular shaped pylon means having a top endand a bottom end opposite said top end, an outer surface, and aninterior region having an inner surface, said top end of each of saidsubstantially continuously uninterrupted tubular shaped pylon meansbeing operably secured substantially adjacent to said bottom surface ofsaid platform means, and said bottom end of each of said pylon meansbeing operably secured substantially adjacent to said top surface ofsaid bottom panel means; pylon top attachment means for operablysecuring said top end of said substantially continuously uninterruptedtubular shaped pylon means adjacent to said bottom surface of saidplatform means and pylon bottom attachment means for operably securingsaid bottom end of said substantially continuously uninterrupted tubularshaped pylon means adjacent to said top surface of said bottom panelmeans; said pylon top and pylon bottom attachment means including anadhesive material interposed between the top end of the pylon means andthe bottom surface of said platform means, as well as between the bottomend of said pylon means and the top surface of said bottom panel means;aperture means operably positioned within said bottom panel means so asto enable effective cooperation of said shipping platform apparatus withsaid conventional material handling devices positionable between bothsaid platform means and said bottom panel means during raising,relocation and lowering of said shipping platform apparatus and, inturn, said load.
 15. The invention according to claim 14 in which saidpylon means are formed from a substantially continuous coil of layeredpaperboard material.
 16. The invention according to claim 14 in whichsaid pylon means are constructed from multiple substantially concentriclayers of paperboard material.
 17. The invention according to claim 14in which said pylon means are constructed from multiple layers ofcorrugated paperboard.